School budgets to be "sucker punched"

VIRGINIA (WAVY) - The head of the Virginia Education Association, Dr. Kitty Boinott, says Virginia public schools are about to be "sucker punched" by the state legislature.

In a new release that was issued Monday, Dr. Boinott said, “Everyone concerned about our public school children know that school divisions across the state are struggling to slice their budgets to make up for $1.2 billion in budget cuts announced by out-going Governor Tim Kaine. What they don’t know is that the state legislature is about to apply a sucker punch to every child in the state, when it makes more than $720 million in additional cuts for our schools.”

In this statement, Boinott is referring to the additional cuts that have been recommended by the state legislature and Governor McDonnell.

“Our children are being robbed of their future by these draconian cuts,” Boitnott said. “These cuts will damage the quality of our children's education, not just for now, but for years to come.”

The Virgina Beach Division of schools is in store for nearly $57 million in additional cuts, which will devastate the division.

If the additional cuts are approved through the state legislature, three school divisions will face more than $30 million in extra cuts. Norfolk will face, $32.9 million, Chesapeake, $38 million and Chesterfield County more than $39 million.

Additionally, five divisions would also lose $20 million or more: Hampton, $20 million; Newport News, $26.6 million; Richmond City, $26.7 million; Prince William, $27 million; and Henrico, $29.7 million.

“How can Governor McDonnell and our state legislators do this to our children,” Boitnott questioned.

“These cuts, added to the ones proposed by Governor Kaine, will eliminate state funding for as many as 30,000 teacher and other school personnel positions. It will cause class sizes to mushroom and it will result in untold lost educational opportunities for students.”

Boitnott cautioned, “Working parents beware. Parents of students with special needs beware. Parents whose children excel in the arts or athletics beware. Your children will lose programs that they need.”

The Virginia Education Association represents more than 50,000 schools and education support professionals. They have created a special website to help parents and others concerned about public schools to contact Governor McDonnell and legislators. It is www.supportvirginiaschools.com .